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Lillard will use the 2025-26 season to rehabilitate his injury, but a return to the franchise and Portland, where his family and children reside were of the ultimate importance, per sources. He also had multiple midlevel exception and minimum offers from NBA contenders, per sources.
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Adam Silver: Blazers need new arena
Asked about the sale of the Portland Trail Blazers by the Paul G. Allen estate, initiated in May, Silver said that, "It is our preference that that team remains in Portland. We've had great success in Portland over the years." Notably, Silver said that Portland, "likely needs a new arena, so that will be part of the challenge for any new ownership group coming in." The Blazers have played in Moda Center since 1995, making it one of the league's oldest arenas that has not undergone substantial renovations. Moda Center upgrades begun with the aim of completion before hosting the NCAA Division I women's basketball Final Four in 2030, but are on pause during the sale process, per the Rose Garden Report.
Today, Portland’s WNBA expansion team proudly unveils its new name and brand identity: the Portland Fire. Based in the global epicenter of women’s sports, the Portland Fire is rooted in the resilience, spirit, and passion for sport that defines the Rose City. A team reborn, the Portland Fire marks the revival of a movement. Rooted in the identity and energy of Portland, the Portland Fire brand is bold and modern with a nod to its history. The new brand reflects unapologetic determination and city pride, with every element – from the custom logo and commanding typography to the Fire Red, Brown, Blue, and Pink palette – evoking the power, grit, calm, and creativity that defines the team. “As a city that has long championed women’s sports, Portland is ready to reclaim its place in the WNBA and reignite its connection to the game on the world stage,” said Clare Hamill, Portland Fire Interim President. “We are thrilled to complete the journey of bringing professional women’s basketball back to the Rose City, while honoring the legacy of the original franchise to blaze a new, bold path forward.”
Gary Washburn: Milwaukee just wasn't ever really a great fit. Obviously when Portland was looking to move him, he wanted to go to Miami. that didn't work out. There was the Celtic rumors and I know our friend Chris Haynes was like, "No, he ain't going to Boston." I've been told that that's a little different now and that he's open to new teams and obviously he wants to win a championship. The only thing he does not have in his career is a title. He's top 75.
Kevin Durant on his time in Brooklyn: I didn't think we got the full Steve Nash, like I wanted
When you think back to our time in Brooklyn, what do you think of? LeBron James: Him stepping on that damn three-point line. Kevin Durant: I can’t get away from it, too, ’cause they’re gonna repost that and tag me in it. But we had this conversation in Portland, I think—right before a game—and I’m like, “Who am I spending my next five years with?” I had just signed that deal. You had just signed a deal. I feel like we were secure, but everything else around us was going to shit—not in a bad way. We got GMs going to other teams. We got coaches going to other teams. We got players forcing trades. We brought in Ben Simmons—he’s back. It was just so much stuff going on around us. I feel like we were locked in, on the same page, and understanding like—we're trying to do something special here. But I felt like your hands were tied a lot because, as a coach, you’ve got to deal with so much. You didn’t get to coach as much as I wanted you to. That’s what it was. I didn’t think we got the full Steve Nash—like I wanted, like you probably wanted. I just felt like there were too many distractions. You can’t win that way. But I felt like we had great intentions, though. I felt like we cared enough. I felt like every day we were trying to push towards winning the championship. It was a great vibe in there—some of the best times, that first year. That’s why I signed that deal that first year, man.
Kevin Durant on his stint with Nets: We had this conversation in Portland, I think, right before a game and I'm like, ‘who am I spending my next five years with?’ I had just signed that deal. You (Steve Nash) had just signed a deal. But I feel like we were secure, but everything else around us was going to shit. Not in a bad way. We got GMs going to other teams. We got coaches going to other teams. We got players forcing trades. We got bring in Ben Simmons. He's back. Like, it was just so much stuff going on. A lot of bullshit around us. I feel like we were locked in on the same page and understand like well we trying to do something special here but and I felt like your hands were tied a lot because you had to as a coach you got to deal with so much. You didn't get to coach as much as I wanted to. That's what it was.
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Jrue Holiday’s medical examinations raised concerns in Portland
According to multiple league sources, concerns were raised because of “new findings” during Jrue Holiday’s medical examinations. Sources said they were not substantial enough for the deal to be nullified, but they did give the Trail Blazers pause. So, Boston agreed to move forward with the deal without the 2030 and 2031 second-round picks that Portland originally agreed to send to Boston. Sources declined to reveal specifics of Holiday’s situation but stressed that the point guard was continuing his normal offseason training regimen without restriction. He is expected to be fully healthy for the start of training camp, too.
Sean Highkin: The Anfernee Simons-Jrue Holiday trade is now official, without the previously reported second-round picks going from Portland to Boston. The final deal is a straight 1-for-1 player swap.
Jabari Walker signs two-way with Philadelphia
Shams Charania: Free agent forward Jabari Walker has agreed to a two-way NBA deal with the Philadelphia 76ers, source tells ESPN. Walker spent his first three NBA seasons in Portland, appearing in 188 games.
Steve DelVecchio: Damian Lillard responded to the report about the Bucks not letting him rehab in Portland. "They did approve it tho"
Damian Lillard responded to the report about the Bucks not letting him rehab in Portland.
— Steve DelVecchio (@SteveDelSports) July 3, 2025
"They did approve it tho" pic.twitter.com/rZRMcDb36g
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